Adjustable discharge means

ABSTRACT

A surface or top silo unloader of the type having a pair of augers for gathering material to the center of the silo and delivering it to an impeller which discharges the material from the silo. The discharge chute is curved in a vertical plane and has one end connected to the impeller for guiding the material discharged thereby and directing it out through an opening in the wall. A unique linkage means automatically adjusts the curvature of the discharge chute to maintain a substantially constant curvature therein as the unloader moves downwardly in the silo a substantial distance to substantially reduce the number of times that it is necessary to climb the silo and reposition the remote end of the discharge chute. An optional liner for the discharge chute is rigidly attached to the chute at the end adjacent the impeller and is resiliently connected to the chute at the remote end thereof whereby the liner will closely follow the contour of the chute without buckling, as the curvature of the chute is varied to protect the chute from wear and to provide a smooth continuous surface on the interior of the chute.

United States Patent Buschbom [451 Mar. 28, 1972 [52] US. Cl ..l93/l7,193/34, 302/59, 302/64 [51] lnt.Cl ..B65g 11/12,B65g11/14,B65gll/16 [58]Field of Search ..l93/4-6, 17, 34; 2l4/l7.84; 302/56, 59, 64

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,110,521 11/1963 Rogers etal. ..302/64 786,991 4/1905 Podlesak ....302/64 X 3,272,355 9/1966Loesch et al. ...2l4/l7.84 3,319,809 5/1967 Prentice ..214/l7.84

Primary Examiner-Even C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-W. Scott CarsonAttorney-Donald R. Sjostrom [57] ABSTRACT A surface or top silo unloaderof the type having a pair of augers for gathering material to the centerof the silo and delivering it to an impeller which discharges thematerial from the silo. The discharge chute is curved in a verticalplane and has one end connected to the impeller for guiding the materialdischarged thereby and directing it out through an opening in the wall.A unique linkage means automatically adjusts the curvature of thedischarge chute to maintain a substantially constant curvature thereinas the unloader moves downwardly in the silo a substantial distance tosubstantially reduce the number of times that it is necessary to climbthe silo and reposition the remote end of the discharge chute. Anoptional liner for the discharge chute is rigidly attached to the chuteat the end adjacent the impeller and is resiliently connected to thechute at the remote end thereof whereby the liner will closely followthe contour of the chute without buckling, as the curvature of the chuteis varied to protect the chute from wear and to provide a smoothcontinuous surface on the interior of the chute.

19 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED MR 2 8 1912 SHEET 1 [JF 3vINVENTOR. F2050 5 Busch 80M BY 5 PATENTEDFARN I972 3,651,910

sum 3 BF 3 F I E 5 INVENTOR.

/ 4770P/VEV ADJUSTABLE DISCHARGE MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisis a division of application Ser. No. 794,607, filed Jan. 28, 1969, nowU.S. Pat. No. 3,539,059. This invention relates to automaticallyadjustable discharge chute means especially for use with, and incombination with, a silo unloader of the top or surface type asdescribed briefly above. Silo unloaders of this type are disclosed, forexample, in VanDusen U.S. Pat. No. 2,719,058 and in Buschbom U.S. Pat.Nos. 2,794,560; 2,877,907 and 3,232,456. In many such unloaders thedischarge chute extends to a point short of the wall of the silo and isoperably connected to a torque arm which precludes the chute fromrotating and also directs it toward an opening in the silo wall. Theremote end of the torque arm is operably secured to the wall, generallyby being removably attached to the frame surrounding the door opening inthe silo, This type of construction is shown and described in detail inthe Buschbom U.S. Pat. No. 2,877,907.

Although this type of silo unloader discharge chute construction hasbeen widely used, it has had the drawback that the remote end of thetorque arm has to be repositioned vertically rather than frequently asthe silo unloader moves downward in the silo. This involves a manclimbing the ladder to the silo and physically moving the end of thetorque arm downward a few feet. Naturally this involves the expenditureof time and, especially in very high silos, an element of danger sinceit may be necessary to do this during inclement and extremely coldweather.

Various schemes have been proposed to overcome this difficulty and toallow the silo unloader to move downward a substantial distance withoutrequiring movement of the end of the torque arm and thereby the end ofthe discharge chute. Articulated and other types of flexible chutes havebeen proposed but it has been found that these are generally less thansatisfactory because of the fact that a very substantial verticalmovement of the unloader with respect to the fixed end of the chuteresults in uneven curvature of the chute, generally resulting in rathersharp bends therein, and this has tended to result in clogging of thechutes, particularly when very heavy and wet material is beingdischarged.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention provides an improvement insilo unloaders and in discharge chutes or guide means therefore in thatit provides a means for automatically adjusting the discharge chutewhereby the curved chute is deformed in a controlled fashion preferablywith a substantially uniform variation in curvature along substantiallyits full length as the silo unloader moves through a substantialvertical distance in the silo. In one form of the invention thedischarge chute includes a protective liner with a unique constructionwhereby it closely follows the contour of the chute without buckling asthe curvature of the chute is varied over a relatively wide range, andprovides a smooth continuous surface on the interior of the chute.

Specifically, the discharge chute means includes a curved chute whichisdeformable generally in a vertical plane and which has a first endadapted for operable connection to an impeller or discharge means formovement therewith generally in a vertical direction. A longitudinallyextensible, laterally rigid, arm has a first end operably connected tothe first end of the chute and has means for operably connecting thesecond end of the arm in a predetermined position horizontally spacedfrom the first end of the chute (as at an opening in the wall of asilo). The second end of the chute is operably connected to the armadjacent its second end and a plurality of linkage means operablyconnect the arm and chute intermediate the ends thereof and areresponsive to vertical movement of the first end thereof relative to thesecond end thereof to controllably deform the chute along substantiallyits entire length. The discharge chute means finds its principalapplication in combination with a surface silo unloader of the typewhich is disposed in a silo above the material to be unloaded and whichhas an impeller or other means for discharging material from the silo.The chute is operably connected to the impeller at its first end forguiding material discharged by the impeller and has its remote endadapted to be operably connected to the silo as by connection to theremote end of the torque arm. A means responsive to vertical movement ofthe unloader (such as a torque arm having one end operably connected tothe impeller and the other releasably connected to the wall of the silo)is operably connected to the chute in a plurality of positions along thechute to controllably deform the chute with a substantially uniformvariation in curvature along substantially its full length.

In the preferred form the chute is an articulate member made up of aplurality of pivotally connected segments and the means responsive tovertical movement of the unloader is a longitudinally extensible,laterally rigid, torque arm pivotally connected to the impeller formovement in a vertical plane and with a first portion longitudinallyfixed with respect to the impeller and a second portion adapted forconnection to the silo wall and longitudinally extensible with respectto the first portion. A plurality of linkage members are spaced alongthe first portion of the torque arm and pivotally connected thereto andhave their opposite ends connected to the chute adjacent each of thejoints therein. The remote end of the chute is connected to the secondportion of the torque arm. This structure provides substantially uniformvariation in curvature of the chute during movement of the torque armfrom a substantially horizontal position to a position wherein it makesapproximately a 45 angle above the horizontal, thus corresponding tomovement of the silo unloader in a vertical distance substantially equalto the radius of the silo in which it is located.

In a preferred form, the discharge chute includes an internal linerextending along at least a portion of the length of the chute and havingone end rigidly secured to the chute and the other resiliently connectedthereto to permit movement of said other end in a direction along thelength of the chute while urging the liner into engagement with theinterior of the chute. If desired, the exposed surface of the liner mayinclude a layer or coating of a relatively non-corrosive, low frictionmaterial.

An object of the invention is to provide a surface silo unloader with anautomatically adjustable chute means which will permit substantialvertical movement of the unloader within the silo without requiringmanual movement and adjustment of the remote end of the discharge chute.

Another object of the invention is to provide a silo unloader with meansfor automatically adjusting the curvature of a deformable dischargechute to effect a substantially uniform variation in curvature alongsubstantially the full length of the chute as the silo unloader is moveda substantial vertical distance in the silo.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in combination with asurface silo unloader which has a longitudinally extensible torque arm,a discharge chute which is curved in a vertical plane and which isdeformable in said vertical plane, and means operably interconnectingthe torque arm and the discharge chute in a plurality of positions tocontrollably deform the chute with a substantially uniform variation incurvature in response to a change in angular position of the torque armwith respect to the horizontal.

Still another object is to provide a discharge chute apparatus includinga generally arcuate chute which is deformable in a vertical plane andmeans responsive to vertical movement of one end of the chute withrespect to the other to controllably deform the chute while maintaininga substantially uniform variation in curvature thereof as said one endis moved with respect to the other.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in combination with anangularly deformable discharge chute, a liner for the chute and meansfor operably connecting the liner and the chute whereby the linerclosely follows the contour of the chute without buckling throughsubstantial deformation of the chute and provides a relatively smoothsurface on the interior of the chute.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent uponreading the following detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary,perspective view of a 7 portion of the discharge chute means disclosingthe connection thereto of a linkage member which forms a part of theinvention.

FIG. is a cross-sectional .view of a chute and a liner therein, both ofwhich form a part of this invention, the view being taken generallyalong line 5-5 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawing, reference numeral 10designates the confining wall of a conventional tower silo. Generallysuch silos are substantially cylindrical and include a plurality ofvertically aligned door openings 11 which provide access to the silo.These door openings are separated by cross bars 12 and closed byremovable doors 13 as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The silo may be usedto store material such as silage, haylage or the like, this materialbeing designated by the numeral 14 in the drawing. Disposed within thesilo is a mechanical silo unloader generally referred to by the numeral15. The silo unloader and its cooperation with the silo will bedescribed only briefly herein except as to details essential to adescription of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 2,719,058,2,794,560, 2,877,907 and 3,232,456, by way of example, describe indetail the construction of a silo unloader of this type and itscooperation with the silo structure. Reference is made to such patentsfor background information.

Silo unloader 15 is of the type which is disposed above or on thesurface of the silage 14 contained in the silo and is preferablysuspended by appropriate means such as a tripod (not shown) which ismounted at the top of the silo. Unloader 15 includes a collector armgenerally designated 16, a drive hub assembly 17, a frame 18 and a drivemotor 19. Motor 19 is drivingly connected (by means not shown) to drivehub assembly 17 which drives the gathering arm and frame causing them torotate about an axis substantially at the center of the silo. Alsodriven by motor 19 are a pair of counter-rotating gathering augers 20and 20a which form a part of the gathering arm and which gather silageto the center of the silo as the unit rotates. A pair of wall wheels 16aat the end of the gathering arm engage the silo wall. At substantiallythe center of the silo, frame 18 carries a discharge or material movingmeans such as an impeller 21 which is also driven by motor 19 and whichdischarges or impels the silage that is gathered by the augers.

A suspension ring assembly 22 provides a rotatable supporting connectionbetween the collector arm, frame and impeller assembly and a triangularsupport member 23 which is suspended by a plurality of cables 24 whichare in turn connected at a common point by an appropriate clevis or thelike 25 to a support cable 26 which is suspended by a pulley to thetripod previously referred to. Customarily cable 26 is connected to awinch (not shown) disposed outside and near the bottom of the silo forraising and lowering the unloader.

A torque arm 30 includes a first rigid member 31 which has one endconnected to the support member 23 by a pin 27 which provides a pivotpoint for member 31 about a horizontal axis with respect to theimpeller. The torque arm also includes a second rigid member 32 havingat its remote end an appropriate hook-like member 33 for releasableattachment to the silo wall as by means of hooking it over the cross bar12 between two of the silo doors. The outer end of member 31 and theinner end of member 32 overlie each other and are connected to provide aunit which is laterally rigid but is longitudinally extensible. This isaccomplished by appropriate means such as a pair of U bolts 34 and 35which are spaced along the torque arm, encircle both of members 31 and32, and at their remote ends have a cross plate 36 and 37, respectively,so that they act as clamps to hold the two members together but aresufficiently loose so that member 32 may be slid longitudinally withrespect to member 31.

Suspension ring 22 has an opening through its center so that materialdischarged by the impeller passes directly through it. Also, as is wellknown in the silo unloader art, the suspension ring provides a rotaryelectrical connection between a source of power and the motor 19 whichis mounted on the frame of the silo unloader. Also connected tosuspension ring 23, and aligned with the opening therethrough, is adischarge chute or guide means, generally designated by the numeral 40.As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, chute 40 is generally arcuate and liesin a generally vertical plane. The chute is readily deformable in thisvertical plane and, in the preferred arrangement, is an articulatedmember comprised of a plurality of relatively rigid segments. By way ofexample, chute 40 is disclosed as comprising five segments 41, 42, 43,44 and 45. Segment 41 is pivotally connected to support ring 22 formovement in a vertical plane and each of the segments is pivotallyconnected to the end of the next adjacent segment. In the preferredform, each of the segments is slightly arcuate. In cross section thesegments take the form of an inverted generally U-shaped trough so thatthe bottom of the chute is open.

As indicated, the inner end of chute segment 41 is connected tosuspension ring 22 by a horizontal pivot 51. A horizontal pivot 52connects segments 41 and 42; a horizontal pivot 53 connects segments 42and 43; a horizontal pivot 54 connects segments 43 and 44; and a furtherhorizontal pivot 55 connects segments 44 and 45. As will be appreciated,vertical movement of the silo unloader within the silo will result in achange in the angle between torque arm 30 and the horizontal when theremote end thereof is connected to the silo wall. Torque arm 30 is usedas a means to sense the movement of the silo unloader within the siloand is operably connected to the chute by a plurality of linkage membersincluding linkage members 61, 62, 63 and 64 which are pivotallyconnected to and spaced along member 31 of torque arm 30. These linkagemembers extend generally vertically and at their opposite ends areconnected to the chute adjacent each of the pivot points. As seen inFIGS. 2 and 3, link 61 is pivotally connected to member 31 at a positionjust slightly spaced from pivot 27 which connects the torque arm tosupport frame 23. At its other end, link 61 is pivotally connected tochute segment 42 adjacent pivot 52 between segments 41 and 42. Link 62is pivotally connected to member 31 at a position spaced outwardly fromlink 61 and its opposite end is pivotally connected to chute segment 43adjacent pivot 53. Further out along torque arm member 31, is a pivotalconnection with one end of link 63, the other end of which is pivotallyconnected to chute segment 44 adjacent ivot 54. Still further out alongmember 31 is a pivotal connection with one end of link 64, the other endof which is pivotally connected to chute segment 45 adjacent pivot 55.It should be noted that each of these linkage members is connected totorque arm 31 which is longitudinally fixed with respect to theimpeller. Pivotally connected to the chute at or adjacent pivot 55(between segments 44 and 45) is a generally horizontal linkage member 65which includes a first portion 66, one end of which is pivotallyconnected to the chute and a second portion 67 which is longitudinallyextensible with respect thereto and which at its remote end is pivotallyconnected to member 32 of the torque arm, adjacent the remote endthereof. In the preferred form, members 66 and 67 are telescopingmembers with member 67 slideable within member 66. The remote end ofchute segment uurvm 45 is pivotally connected to one end of a generallyvertically extending link 70 which has an elongated slot 71 at the otherend. An upstanding ear or tab 66a on member 66, near its remote end, isconnected to link 70 by means of a bolt which extends through a hole intab 66a and through the slot 71 in link 70. Slot 71 provides forvertical adjustment of the remote end ofsegment 45.

In a preferred form, discharge chute 40 has disposed therein aprotective liner 80 which lays along the bight portion of the invertedU-shaped chute. In the preferred form, liner 80 is approximately thesame length as the chute and is rigidly secured thereto as by bolts 81which connect it to the chute (in this case to segment 41) adjacent thepoint at which the chute is connected to the impeller. Liner 80 is thusa long relatively narrow sheet of material and it is essential that itbe relatively flexible so that it can change shape so as to conform tothe contour of the chute. Liner 80 extends along the interior of chute40 and extends slightly beyond the remote end of section 45 thereof.Secured to the end of liner 80 which extends beyond the remote end ofthe chute is a spacer 82 having a thickness equal to or slightly greaterthan the thickness of the bight portion of the chute and an oppositelyextending plate or sheet member 83 which is spaced from liner 80 andextends backward therealong a short distance. As seen in the drawing,the bight portion of the remote end of segment 45 of the chute isdisposed between liner 80 and the reversely extending member 83 so thatthe liner is held substantially against the chute at this point ofconnection but is movable longitudinally with respect thereto. Member 83is provided with a pair of eyes or other means to which are connected apair of springs 84 and 85 which are placed under tension and connectedto the chute (in this case to segment 45 generally in the area ofpivotal connection 55). Thus the remote end of liner 82 is resilientlyurged backward in the direction along the chute so that the liner liesagainst the inside of the bight portion of the chute along substantiallythe entire length except at the joints in the chute where it isdisplaced slightly therefrom (see FIG. 2) to provide a smooth continuoussurface on the interior of the chute. It will be appreciated thatwithout the resilient connection at the remote end of the chute, theliner would buckle as the chute deflected so that the radius decreasesor, if it were made, for example, to be of just sufficient length so asnot to buckle in the position shown in FIG. 2, it would be under tensionand spaced away from the bight portion when the radius of the chuteincreased as for example to the position shown in FIG. 3. It should alsobe appreciated that this unique manner of connecting the liner with thechute is extremely simple in that the connections between the chute andliner are limited to two, namely the fixed connection at the interiorend of the chute and the resilient connection adjacent the remote endthereof.

Silo unloader is suspended by cable 46 above the upper surface of thesilage. It is lowered to a position wherein augers and 20a engage thesurface of the silage and drive hubs l7 are in driving engagement withthe silage. Wall wheels 16a are in engagement with the interior surfaceof wall 10. Motor 19 powers drive hubs 16 causing the gathering arm andframe to rotate substantially about the center of the silo. At the sametime augers 20 and 20a of the gathering arm gather the silagesubstantially to the center of the silo and supply it to impeller 21which discharges it. Torque arm 30, because of its operable condition tothe silo wall, remains stationary as does the upper portion ofsuspension ring 22, chute 40, and support member 23.

FIG. 2 discloses the silo unloader in a position wherein torque arm 30is disposed substantially horizontally. In this position chute 40 isdisposed in a substantially uniform arc of a relatively small radius.Torque arm 30 is collapsed so that the remote end of member 31 thereofis near the silo wall. As impeller 21 discharges the silage, chute 40provides a guide for it to a position short of the silo wall but withthe end of segment 45 disposed so that the trajectory of the silageexiting therefrom is directed through the door opening. Liner 80,

lying along the interior of the bight portion of the U-shaped chute,provides a continuous smooth surface on the interior of the chute and,because of the relatively small radius of curvature of the chute,extends somewhat beyond the remote end of the chute.

As silage is discharged from the silo, the unloader gradually movesvertically downward therein. As this occurs, torque arm 30 islongitudinally extended and makes an increasingly greater angle with thehorizontal. At the same time, linkage members 61 through 65 areeffective to deform chute 40 so that it has an arc of increasing radius,but this deformation is in a controlled manner so that the variation inthe curvature thereof is substantially uniform over substantially itsentire length, at least over the first four segments 61-64. This isapproximate, of course, since the segments themselves in the illustratedembodiment are rigid and do not deform. Thus. the term uniform variationin curvature shall include change in curvature derived from relativepivotal movement between the segments of the chute. Therefore, there areno sharp bends in the chute as have generally been experienced in thepast when a relatively large vertical movement of the unloader occurswithout movement of the remote end of the discharge chute. FIG. 3discloses the apparatus with the torque arm making an angle ofapproximately 45 with the horizontal which is approximately the maximumdeformation of the chute and torque arm possible. It will be appreciatedthat vertical movement of the unloader through a distance approximatelyequal to the radius of the silo is thus possible without moving the endof the torque arm. As the radius of curvature of the chute is thuschanged, liner continually remains substantially in engagement with theinterior of the bight portion of the chute to provide a continuoussmooth surface. As the radius of curvature increases, the position ofthe remote end of the liner 80 becomes closer and closer to the end ofsegment 45. For example in FIG. 3, spacer 82 almost engages the end ofsegment 45.

It will be appreciated that the linkage arrangement described herein maybe used with varying sizes of equipment and with varying numbers ofsegments in the chute by changing the lengths of the linkage members andthe position of the pivot points on torque arm member 31. By way ofexample, the following approximate dimensions were used in one silounloader discharge chute assembly which embodied the present invention:

Length of chute segments 41, 42, 43. 44 32% in. Length ofchute segment45 36 in. Length of link 61 43 in. Length of link 62 65 in. Length oflink 63 67 in. Length oflink 64 55 in. Distance from pivot 27 alongmember 31 to:

Pivot of link 61 3% in. Pivot of link 62 I6 in. Pivot oflink 63 48 in.Pivot of link 64 94% in.

The importance of the telescoping members of link 65 will be appreciatedwhen FIGS. 2 and 3 are compared. It will be noted that in FIG. 2 member65 is contracted while in FIG. 3 it is extended a substantial amount.Initially the vertical position of the remote end of chute segment 45can be adjusted by means of loosening the bolt in slot 71. Thereafter,although the chute is deformed a substantial amount, the end of segment45 is positioned so that the trajectory of the silage is through thedoor opening.

It will be appreciated that the specific structure of chute 40 is notessential to the invention so long as it is readily deformable in avertical plane. Where an articulated chute is used, any number ofsegments may be used but preferably one of the linkage members isconnected to it adjacent each of the pivot points in the chute. The typeof pivotal connection between links 61-64 and the chute are notparticularly critical although one preferred form is disclosed in FIG.4. There the upper end of link 63 is disclosed as comprising a portion63a of reduced diameter and which is bent at right angles with respectto link 63 and has been hinged by means of two bearing members 60 whichare attached to the upper surface of chute segment 44 by appropriatemeans such as spot welding. It will also be appreciated that'thespecific structure of the torque arm is not critical. Obviously the twomembers may telescope one within the other or some other type oflongitudinally extensible, laterally rigid arrangement may be used. Itis critical, however, that links 61 through 64 be hinged to the portionof the torque arm which is fixed longitudinally with respect to theimpeller. Furthermore, the linkage members may be constructed andarranged so that they control deformation over substantially the lengthof the chute to avoid sharp bends therein without actually providinguniform variation in the chute curvature. It will also be appreciatedthat the automatically adjustable chute may find application inequipment other than silo unloaders.

When the chute is articulated, the liner 80 becomes particularlydesirable because it provides a continuous smooth surface at the jointsbetween the various sections or segments of the chute. It will also beappreciated, however, that the liner will also substantially reduce thewear on the chute. It is well known that over long periods of usage, thechutes do eventually wear out and the liner can obviously be replacedmuch more inexpensively than can the entire chute. The material fromwhich the liner is made is not critical. In one instance, it was made ofgalvanized material generally similar to the from which the chute wasmade but slightly lighter so that it would be more deformable and morereadily conform to the contour of the chute. In some instances it may bedesirable to place a layer or coating of material 86 on the exposed sideof the liner to reduce the friction of the material passing therealong.Material 86 must be relatively non-corrosive and preferably is a lowfriction material such as a long chain polymer of the,

polytetrafluoroethylene type.

As can be seen from the foregoing, this invention provides anautomatically adjustable discharge chute means which requires little orno attention on the part of the operator during movement of the movableend through a substantial vertical distance with respect to the remoteend. This invention is especially useful in combination with a surfacesilo unloader. It greatly reduces the need for climbing the silo andrepositioning the end of the torque arm. This is particularlysignificant with the ever increasing trend toward higher and largersilos. it also permits silo construction with substantially less dooropenings, reducing the cost and increasing the strength of the silo.Various modifications of this invention may be apparent to those skilledin the art in view of the disclosure herein. Therefore it is to beunderstood that the disclosure herein is by way of example only and thatthe invention is to be limited solely by the scope of the appendedclaims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or rightis claimed are defined as follows:

1. In combination, a curved discharge chute deformable whereby itscurvature is variable; a deformable liner for said chute and with alength equal to at least a portion of the length of said chute, saidliner disposed on the interior of said chute; means rigidly connectingone portion of said liner to said chute at a position whereby asubstantial length of said liner extends therefrom in one directionalong said chute; means providing a movable connection between saidliner and said chute at a position a substantial distance from saidfirst connection and in said one direction therefrom, said last namedmeans including means maintaining said liner in substantial engagementwith the interior of said chute at said second position and furtherincluding means resiliently urging the portion of said liner adjacentsaid second connection in a direction towards said first connectionwhereby said liner is urged into a curved position substantiallyfollowing the curvature of the interior of said chute.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the chute has at least three sidesincluding a pair of spaced leg portions and a connecting bight portion,and said liner lies along said bight portion.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the liner has a lengthsubstantially equal to the length of the chute and said first connectionis adjacent one end thereof and the second connection is adjacent theother end thereof.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said chute is an articulate membermade up of a plurality of pivotally connected segments pivotal to changethe curvature of said chute, said liner is disposed in said chute so asto overlie at least one of the pivotal connections thereof, liessubstantially against the interior of the bight portion of said chutealong a substantial portion of the length of said liner and is spacedtherefrom adjacent said pivotal connection to provide a smoothcontinuous surface in the area of said pivotal connection.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said liner has on its surfacewhich is exposed when the liner is disposed within the chute, a layer orcoating of relatively low friction, relatively non-corrosive material.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the low friction layer or coatingconsists of a long chain polymer such as polytetrafluorethylene.

7. In combination, a curved discharge chute deformable whereby itscurvature is variable; a deformable liner for said chute, said linerhaving a length equal to at least a portion of said chute, said linerdisposed on the inside of said chute; means rigidly connecting oneportion of said liner to said chute at a position whereby a substantiallength of said liner extends therefrom in one direction along saidchute; means providing a movable connection between said liner and saidchute at a position a substantial distance from said connection and insaid one direction therefrom, said last named means including meansmaintaining said liner in substantial engagement with the interior ofsaid chute at said second position and further including meansresiliently urging the portion of said liner adjacent said secondconnection in a direction toward said first connection whereby saidliner is urged into a curved positions substantially following thecurvature of the interior of said chute, said second connection is madeat one end of said chute and the connecting means thereat includes amember connected to said liner adjacent the end thereof and extendingbackward therealong whereby the bight portion at the end of said chuteis loosely disposed between the end of said liner and said reverselyextending portion thereon, whereby said liner is maintained insubstantial engagement with the interior of said bight portion of thechute but is longitudinally movable with respect thereto; and the meansresiliently biasing the end portion of said liner includes spring meansoperably connected to said liner adjacent the end thereof and extendingbackward along the exterior of said chute and urging the end of saidliner in a direction along said chute.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the chute has at least three sidesincluding a pair of spaced leg portions and a connecting bight portion,and said liner lies along said bight por- Hon.

9. The combination of claim 7 wherein the liner has a lengthsubstantially equal to the length of the chute and said first connectionis adjacent one end thereof and the second connection is adjacent theother end thereof.

10. The combination of claim 7 wherein said chute is an articulatemember made up of a plurality of pivotally connected segments pivotal tochange the curvature of said chute, said liner is disposed in said chuteso as to overlie at least one of the pivotal connections thereof, liessubstantially against the interior of the bight portion of said chutealong a substantial portion of the length of said liner and is spacedtherefrom adjacent said pivotal connection to provide a smoothcontinuous surface in the area of said pivotal connection.

11. The combination of claim 7 wherein said liner has on its surfacewhich is exposed when the liner is disposed within the chute, a layer orcoating of relatively low friction, relatively nolcorrosive material.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein the low friction layer orcoating consists of a long chain polymer such as polytetrafluorethylene.

13. Discharge chute means comprising a deformable curved chute havingfirst and second ends, the first end being adapted for operableconnection to a material moving means for movement therewithsubstantially in a generally vertical direction; longitudinallyextensible, laterally rigid arm means having first and second ends,means operably connecting and rendering relatively non-movable the firstend of said arm means to the first end of said chute; means for operablyconnecting the second end of said arm means in a predetermined positionhorizontally spaced from the first end of said chute; means operablyconnecting the second end of said chute to said arm means adjacent thesecond end thereof; and a plurality of linkage means spaced along thearm means operably connecting said arm means and said chute intermediatethe ends thereof and responsive to vertical movement of the first end ofsaid arm means relative to the second end thereof to controllably deformthe chute.

14. The chute means of claim 13 wherein the means for operablyconnecting the second end of said arm means is adapted for connection tothe wall of a storage means in which the chute is used, the second endof the chute is disposed inside the wall, and the linkage means andconnecting means are constructed so that the second end of said chutemeans is directed towards substantially the same position on the wallduring the aforesaid controlled deformation of the chute upon movementof the first end thereof relative to the second end thereof.

15. The chute means of claim 13 wherein the arm means includes first andsecond portions, the first portion being longitudinally fixed withrespect to the first end of said chute and the second end beinglongitudinally movable with respect thereto; the means for operableconnection to the second end of said arm means being connected to saidsecond portion; said second end of said chute being operably connectedto said second portion of said arm means, and said linkage means allbeing connected between said first portion of said arm means and saidchute.

l6. Discharge chute means comprising a deformable curved chute having afirst end, a second end, and a plurality of pivotally connectedsegments, the first end of said chute being adapted for operableconnection to a material moving means for movement therewithsubstantially in a generally vertical direction; longitudinallyextensible, laterally rigid arm means having a first end and a secondend, said arm means including a first portion and a second portion, thefirst portion being longitudinally fixed with respect to the first endof the chute and the second end being longitudinally movable withrespect to the chute; means for operably connecting and renderingrelatively non-movable the first end of the arm means to the first endof said chute; means for operably connecting the second end of said armmeans in a pre-determined position horizontally spaced from the firstend of said chute; means operably connecting the second end of saidchute to said arm means adjacent the second end thereof; and a pluralityof linkage means operably connecting said arm means and said chuteintermediate the ends thereof and responsive to vertical movement of thefirst end of said arm means relative to the second end thereof tocontrollably deform the chute, said plurality of linkage including aplurality of members spaced along said arm means with one of saidmembers connected to said chute adjacent each of the pivotal connectionstherein.

17. The discharge chute means of claim 16 wherein the discharge chutehas at least three sides including two spaced leg portions and aconnecting bight portion and further includes a liner member comprisingan elongated member constructed of relatively flexible sheet materialadapted to fit within the chute and extend therealong; first connectingmeans rigidly attaching one portion of said liner to said chute at afirst position therealong; second connecting means at a second positionalong said chute and spaced from said first position and maintainingsaid liner in substantial engagement with said chute at said secondposition while rendering said liner and said chute relatively movable ina direction along sald chute at said second position, said first andsecond positions being located so that at least one of the pivotalconnections between the segments of said chute lies therebetween; andmeans yieldably urging said liner into engagement with the interiorsurface of the bight portion of said chute over a substantial portion ofthe distance between said first and second positions and providing asmooth continuous surface adjacent the pivotal joint between adjacentsegments of said chute.

18. The chute means of claim 17 wherein the last named means includesspring means operably connected to said liner adjacent said secondposition and resiliently urging that portion of said liner adjacent saidsecond position towards said first position thereby urging said linerinto an arch wherein it engages the interior of the chute over asubstantial portion thereof while permitting relative movement betweensaid chute and said liner as the curvature of said chute is varied.

l9. Discharge chute means comprising a deformable curved chute having afirst end and a second end, the first end of said chute being adaptedfor operable connection to a material moving means for movementtherewith substantially in a generally vertical direction;longitudinally extensible, laterally rigid ann means having a first endand a second end, said arm means including a first portion and a secondportion, the first portion being longitudinally fixed with respect tothe first end of the chute and the second end being longitudinallymovable with respect to the chute; means operably connecting andrendering relatively non-movable the first end of the arm means to thefirst end of said chute; means for operably connecting the second end ofsaid arm means in a predetermined position horizontally spaced from thefirst end of said chute; means operably connecting the second end ofsaid chute to said arm means adjacent the second end thereof; and aplurality of linkage means operably connecting said arm means and saidchute intermediate the ends thereof and responsive to vertical movementof the first end of said arm means relative to the second end thereof tocontrollably deform the chute, said means connecting the second end ofsaid chute to the second portion of said arm means including a firstrigid member and a second rigid member longitudinally extensible andcontractible with respect to said first rigid member, means pivotallyconnecting said first rigid member to said chute substantially at thepivot point of the most remote section thereof, means rigidly connectingthe second end of said chute to said first rigid member, and meanspivotally connecting said second rigid member to said second portion ofsaid arm means.

PO-1O5O UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTlON Patent No.3 651 910 Dated March 28 19 72 Inventor-(S) Floyd E. Buschbom It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified pater 1t and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 24, "than" should be omitted.

Column 5, line 64, "condition" should be -connection- Column 7, line 27,"the" should be that--.

Column 8, line 36, ."positions" should be "position";

line 72, "n01" should be non Signed and sealed this 8th day of August1972.

(SEAL) A ttest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,J'R. RQBER'I GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer CommissionerofPatents

1. In combination, a curved discharge chute deformable whereby itscurvature is variable; a deformable liner for said chute and with alength equal to at least a portion of the length of said chute, saidliner disposed on the interior of said chute; means rigidly connectingone portion of said liner to said chute at a position whereby asubstantial length of said liner extends therefrom in one directionalong said chute; means providing a movable connection between saidliner and said chute at a position a substantial distance from saidfirst connection and in said one direction therefrom, said last namedmeans including means maintaining said liner in substantial engagementwith the interior of said chute at said second position and furtherincluding means resiliently urging the portion of said liner adjacentsaid second connection in a direction towards said first connectionwhereby said liner is urged into a curved position substantiallyfollowing the curvature of the interior of said chute.
 2. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein the chute has at least three sidesincluding a pair of spaced leg portions and a connecting bight portion,and said liner lies along said bight portion.
 3. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein the liner has a length substantially equal to the lengthof the chute and said first connection is adjacent one end thereof andthe second connection is adjacent the other end thereof.
 4. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said chute is an articulate member madeup of a plurality of pivotally connected segments pivotal to change thecurvature of said chute, said liner is disposed in said chute so as tooverlie at least one of the pivotal connections thereof, liessubstantially against the interior of the bight portion of said chutealong a substantial portion of the length of said liner and is spacedtherefrom adjacent said pivotal connection to provide a smoothcontinuous surface in the area of said pivotal connection.
 5. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said liner has on its surface which isexposed when the liner is disposed within the chute, a layer or coatingof relatively low friction, relatively non-corrosive material.
 6. Thecombination of claim 5 wherein the low friction layer or coatingconsists of a long chain polymer such as polytetrafluorethylene.
 7. Incombination, a curved discharge chute deformable whereby its curvatureis variable; a deformable liner for said chute, said liner having alength equal to at least a portion of said chute, said liner disposed onthe inside of said chute; means rigidly connecting one portion of saidliner to said chute at a position whereby a substantial length of saidliner extends therefrom in one direction along said chute; meansproviding a movable connection between said liner and said chute at aposition a substantial distance from said connection and in said onedirection therefrom, said last named means including means maintainingsaid liner in substantial engagement with the interior of said chute atsaid second position and further including means resiliently urging theportion of said liner adjacent said second connection in a directiontoward said first connection whereby said liner is urged into a curvedpositions substantially following the curvature of the interior of saidchute, said second connection is made at one end of said chute and theconnecting means thereat includes a member connected to said lineradjacent the end thereof and extending backward therealong whereby thebight portion at the end of said chute is loosely disposed between theend of said liner and said reversely extending portion thereon, wherebysaid liner is maintained in substantial engagement with the interior ofsaid bight portion of the chute but is longitudinally movable withrespect thereto; and the means resiliently biasing the end portion ofsaid liner includes spring means operably connected to said lineradjacent the end thereof and extending backward along the exterior ofsaid chute and urging the end of said liner in a direction along saidchute.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the chute has at leastthree sides including a pair of spaced leg portions and a connectingbight portion, and said liner lies along said bight portion.
 9. Thecombination of claim 7 wherein the liner has a length substantiallyequal to the length of the chute and said first connection is adjacentone end thereof and the second connection is adjacent the other endthereof.
 10. The combination of claim 7 wherein said chute is anarticulate member made up of a plurality of pivotally connected segmentspivotal to change the curvature of said chute, said liner is disposed insaid chute so as to overlie at least one of the pivotal connectionsthereof, lies substantially against the interior of the bight portion ofsaid chute along a substantial portion of the length of said liner andis spaced therefrom adjacent said pivotal connection to provide a smoothcontinuous surface in the area of said pivotal connection.
 11. Thecombination of claim 7 wherein said liner has on its surface which isexposed when the liner is disposed within the chute, a layer or coatingof relatively low friction, relatively non-corrsive material.
 12. Thecombination of claim 11 wherein the low friction layer or coatingconsists of a long chain polymer such as polytetrafluorethylene. 13.Discharge chute means comprising a deformable curved chute having firstand second ends, the first end being adapted for operable connection toa material moving means for movement therewith substantially in agenerally vertical direction; longitudInally extensible, laterally rigidarm means having first and second ends, means operably connecting andrendering relatively non-movable the first end of said arm means to thefirst end of said chute; means for operably connecting the second end ofsaid arm means in a predetermined position horizontally spaced from thefirst end of said chute; means operably connecting the second end ofsaid chute to said arm means adjacent the second end thereof; and aplurality of linkage means spaced along the arm means operablyconnecting said arm means and said chute intermediate the ends thereofand responsive to vertical movement of the first end of said arm meansrelative to the second end thereof to controllably deform the chute. 14.The chute means of claim 13 wherein the means for operably connectingthe second end of said arm means is adapted for connection to the wallof a storage means in which the chute is used, the second end of thechute is disposed inside the wall, and the linkage means and connectingmeans are constructed so that the second end of said chute means isdirected towards substantially the same position on the wall during theaforesaid controlled deformation of the chute upon movement of the firstend thereof relative to the second end thereof.
 15. The chute means ofclaim 13 wherein the arm means includes first and second portions, thefirst portion being longitudinally fixed with respect to the first endof said chute and the second end being longitudinally movable withrespect thereto; the means for operable connection to the second end ofsaid arm means being connected to said second portion; said second endof said chute being operably connected to said second portion of saidarm means, and said linkage means all being connected between said firstportion of said arm means and said chute.
 16. Discharge chute meanscomprising a deformable curved chute having a first end, a second end,and a plurality of pivotally connected segments, the first end of saidchute being adapted for operable connection to a material moving meansfor movement therewith substantially in a generally vertical direction;longitudinally extensible, laterally rigid arm means having a first endand a second end, said arm means including a first portion and a secondportion, the first portion being longitudinally fixed with respect tothe first end of the chute and the second end being longitudinallymovable with respect to the chute; means for operably connecting andrendering relatively non-movable the first end of the arm means to thefirst end of said chute; means for operably connecting the second end ofsaid arm means in a pre-determined position horizontally spaced from thefirst end of said chute; means operably connecting the second end ofsaid chute to said arm means adjacent the second end thereof; and aplurality of linkage means operably connecting said arm means and saidchute intermediate the ends thereof and responsive to vertical movementof the first end of said arm means relative to the second end thereof tocontrollably deform the chute, said plurality of linkage including aplurality of members spaced along said arm means with one of saidmembers connected to said chute adjacent each of the pivotal connectionstherein.
 17. The discharge chute means of claim 16 wherein the dischargechute has at least three sides including two spaced leg portions and aconnecting bight portion and further includes a liner member comprisingan elongated member constructed of relatively flexible sheet materialadapted to fit within the chute and extend therealong; first connectingmeans rigidly attaching one portion of said liner to said chute at afirst position therealong; second connecting means at a second positionalong said chute and spaced from said first position and maintainingsaid liner in substantial engagement with said chute at said secondposition while rendering said liner and said chute relatively movable ina direction along said chute at said second positIon, said first andsecond positions being located so that at least one of the pivotalconnections between the segments of said chute lies therebetween; andmeans yieldably urging said liner into engagement with the interiorsurface of the bight portion of said chute over a substantial portion ofthe distance between said first and second positions and providing asmooth continuous surface adjacent the pivotal joint between adjacentsegments of said chute.
 18. The chute means of claim 17 wherein the lastnamed means includes spring means operably connected to said lineradjacent said second position and resiliently urging that portion ofsaid liner adjacent said second position towards said first positionthereby urging said liner into an arch wherein it engages the interiorof the chute over a substantial portion thereof while permittingrelative movement between said chute and said liner as the curvature ofsaid chute is varied.
 19. Discharge chute means comprising a deformablecurved chute having a first end and a second end, the first end of saidchute being adapted for operable connection to a material moving meansfor movement therewith substantially in a generally vertical direction;longitudinally extensible, laterally rigid arm means having a first endand a second end, said arm means including a first portion and a secondportion, the first portion being longitudinally fixed with respect tothe first end of the chute and the second end being longitudinallymovable with respect to the chute; means operably connecting andrendering relatively non-movable the first end of the arm means to thefirst end of said chute; means for operably connecting the second end ofsaid arm means in a pre-determined position horizontally spaced from thefirst end of said chute; means operably connecting the second end ofsaid chute to said arm means adjacent the second end thereof; and aplurality of linkage means operably connecting said arm means and saidchute intermediate the ends thereof and responsive to vertical movementof the first end of said arm means relative to the second end thereof tocontrollably deform the chute, said means connecting the second end ofsaid chute to the second portion of said arm means including a firstrigid member and a second rigid member longitudinally extensible andcontractible with respect to said first rigid member, means pivotallyconnecting said first rigid member to said chute substantially at thepivot point of the most remote section thereof, means rigidly connectingthe second end of said chute to said first rigid member, and meanspivotally connecting said second rigid member to said second portion ofsaid arm means.